Seal-lock



(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. P. POWERS & S. W. WILKES.

SEAL 1.00K.

No. 341,502. Patented May 11, 1886.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. P. POWERS 8v S. W. WILKES.

SEAL LOOK.

Patented May 11, "1886.

(Model) No. 341,59| f UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ABNER I?. POWERS AND SAMUEL WM. VILKES, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

SEAL-LOC K.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,502, dated May 1l,1886.

Application tiled February 6, 1886. Serial No. 191,086. (Model.)

To all wwm, it may concern:

Be it known that we, ABNER P. POWERS and SAMUEL WM.'WILKEs, both ofAtlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, haveinventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Seal-Locks, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

The object of our invention is to produce a seal-lock for useprincipally upon railroad freight-cars that shall exhibit a particularlycheap and convenient seal of the simplest character of the place orcompany where the freight is loaded, sealed, and started, and whichshall be so arranged that the loch cannot be unlocked or the lock-boltWithdrawn from its fastening position without destroying the seal. Aseach shipping-point has its Own peculiar seal it will notbe practicableto open the lock surreptitiously, take the seal out, and replace it byanother, and avoid detection between the shipping-point and the point ofdestination of the loaded sealed car.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating our invention, Figure l is aside elevation of an ordinary freight-car with our improved seal-lockapplied. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side or face View of our seal-lock. Fig.3 is an end View of the same. Fig. 4 is a face View of the same, partlyin section, showing the locking-pin in the locked position. Fig. 5 is asectional view showing the locking-pin up or in the unlocked position.Fig. 6 is a sectional View showing details. Fig. 7 is a section on theline 7 7 of Fig. 4.

Referring to the letters upon these drawings, A indicates a lock-case,which may be of any ordinary character; B, a lock-bolt orfastening-bolt, secured at one end in any ordinary or suitable manner onthe side of a car or on the car-door, and adapted to enter the lock-boltrecess Cwithin the lock. This lockbolt is preferably provided with anopening, D, corresponding to a similarglazed opening, E, in the frontplate, F, of the lock-case. It is also preferably provided with a slot,G, for receiving a sealcard, H, which may consist of a simple piece ofpaper or card-board with any device or design upon it which may beadopted to distinguish it as the particular seal of any 'givenshipping-point. The face of this paper seal may be seen through theglazed opening E at all times, so that it can be told instantly byinspection whether it has been tampered with or not. The lock-bolt isnotched at I on either side of the opening D.

K indicates a locking-pin, working Vertically in a groove, L, in theback plate of the lock-case. This groove is provided, as shown in thedrawings, with undercut guideways on either side, and the pin isprovided with flanges N on either side to ttheseguideways. These flangesform a ledge, which strikes against a stop, O, at the upper limit ofmovement of the pin. Thus it is rendered impossible to pull the pin outor lose it. Near the lower end of the pin we provide a projectingsealcutter, l?. The notehesl in the lock-bolt permit this cutter to passin and out without obstruction. In order that the cutter may not cut theseal after it has been placed in position in the slot G, and while thepin K is being inserted, the cutter is pivoted in a slot in the pin, asillustrated, and isinclined upwardly, so that as the pin is inserted theback of the cutter will impinge against the card-seal,

which will press the cutter inward out of the way.

Vhen the cutter has passed the seal, it will fall outward to the properposition for hook-A ing and cutting the seal Whenever the pin iswithdrawn. The bolt cannot beopened until the pin is Withdrawn, andtherefore it is impossible to unlock the lock or Withdraw the boltWithout destroying the seal. In some instances it may be desirable tofasten the pin down, in order that it may not be raised or displaced bythe jarring or accidents of travel. XVe therefore provide aspring-latch, Q, which engages with a notch, R, in the lower end of thelocking-pin, as shown. This spring-latch may be operated by a key, asusual, or by means of a hook, S.

Ve do not intend to limit our invention or patent protection totheprecise details of construction herein shown and described,beeauseconsiderable variations in details of construction and in matters ofform may be made without departing from the substance of our invention,which is the provision of a visible paper seal in connection with alook-bolt, fasteningpin, and cutter, substantially as set forth.

Having thus described our improvements, the lock-bolt B, the locking-pinK, and cutter whatwe claim to be new, and desire to secure H,constructed as set forth, of a spring-latch, by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is- Q, substantially as described.

1. The combination ofthe lock-case plate F, In testimony whereof we havehereunto i5 5 having` a glazed opening, E, the lock-bolt B, subscribedour names.

having an openinff, anda card-seal s1ot,G,with T a seal-card, H, wfithinit, and notches I, and locking-pin K, provided With pivoted pro- Ajecting seai-cutter P, all constructed and open VitnesseS: 1o atingsubstantially as set forth. H. P. COOPER,

2. The combination, with the lock-plate F, THOMAS L. BISHOP.

